Nobu Istanbul — Restaurant in Şişli

Title: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Treatment at Nobu, Ritz Carlton Istanbul

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

I recently had the unfortunate experience of attempting to dine at Nobu, located within the prestigious Ritz Carlton Istanbul. However, I was met with discriminatory and unprofessional treatment that left me shocked and deeply disappointed.

Despite having made a reservation, my party and I were denied access to the restaurant based on our attire. It is important to note that our clothing, consisting of all-black outfits and white sneakers, was not only in line with the restaurant's aesthetic but also similar to what the staff members were wearing. This blatant discrimination was both unjust and unacceptable.

In previous experiences at high-end establishments, I have always appreciated the option of being offered a sports jacket or alternative attire in case my outfit did not meet the dress code. However, at Nobu Istanbul, this basic courtesy was completely absent. The managers and hostess displayed a complete lack of empathy and professionalism, showing no interest in finding a solution or accommodating us in any way.

What truly appalled me was the stark contrast between this experience and my previous visits to other Nobu locations. Regardless of the city or country, I have always been treated with respect and courtesy, even when I may not have met the dress code. As a loyal customer who has consistently spent generously at Nobu, this discriminatory treatment was both unexpected and deeply hurtful.

While I understand the importance of maintaining a certain ambiance and dress code in upscale establishments, it is equally important for the staff to handle such situations with professionalism and fairness. Unfortunately, this was not the case at...

I’m surprised that no one monitors/flags this location. What a black mark on the Nobu name. The quality of food is absolutely mediocre & the service is confusing. Do NOT order sashimi, especially Toro or tuna. Not worth it. Chewy fishy & unappetizing. I feel like “sushi” is a fad in Istanbul. It’s the “it” thing to eat, so restaurants like Nobu get away with charging ridiculous $ for crapy food. People that don’t know sushi or high quality food, like to go to Nobu & take pictures of the food & view without realizing that food at Nobu is an “experience”, a journey, a taste that stays with you for days and a memory that you keep fondly reliving. Nobu Istanbul is forgettable. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. It was bad. The waiters rotate. You don’t know who to complain to or ask for water or for the bill. There is no continuity of care. Zero! No care for the customer’s experience. I asked for recommendations, the answer “people say this is good”! People! What about you!? As the server?! If you don’t take pride in the food you’re serving, how can I? One last note is about comfort & aesthetics. On the 7th floor dinning room, there are 2 round tables with awkwardly shaped couch seating. The seat is far away from the table & the back of the seats/couch is far away from my back! It was so uncomfortable. The entire night. This also speaks to the lack of care & attention to the customers’ needs & comfort. My suggestion: save your money & time. Don’t go. I’ve been to 11 Nobu locations. This is the worst. Actually the worst food experience I’ve ever had. And I’ve had Mexican on the side...

FYI the dress code "smart casual" with no shorts/flip-flops/gym-wear.

Re one of the reviews below, the chefs/waiters say "irasshaimase" when you walk in to many Sushi restaurants - it means "welcome, please come in." I am quite sure if you asked, they would explain it to you.

I've only been to one other Nobu before (Qatar) so I can't compare too much to other Nobu experiences. The servings are small and expensive - which is Nobu standard - and the plates are made to share ( I read one review where the customer was upset that the waiters couldn't adapt to their request to each order their own meal...that's just not how the menu is designed to work...).

Highly recommend the miso chips and tuna, the miso salmon tacos, and the crispy rise with tuna tartare. They have interesting flavours and textures that are hard to come by elsewhere. We also ordered a couple of sushi rolls which were good but nothing earth-shattering (though, alongside Zuma, still the best Sushi available in Istanbul.)

We ordered a a couple more things, and if this was our main meal we would have needed to order much more to be satisfied...but we had already eaten a couple hours prior, so this was really just a tasting menu for us (also the only affordable way to do Nobu).

Overall, it was a nice experience. Waiters were nice, the restaurant is well-decorated and located with the even more well-decorated Ritz-Carlton. But I do think if I was going out for a proper meal, I would prefer Zuma. Really just as tasty, but serving...